Job Search & Career Advice

Ghosted After the Final Interview? Here’s What to Do

Coming out of an interview feeling like you’ve nailed it only to be ghosted by the company can leave you feeling confused and upset. After all, you spent time researching and working on test projects and other tasks that they might have asked you to do before that final round. While there might not be a lot you can do about getting ghosted, there are some steps to take to help you move on and find the perfect job for you. 

You may be surprised to learn that being ghosted after an interview has become fairly common. More than 75% of job seekers have been ghosted after an interview, never hearing from a company again. Now, we wouldn’t recommend blasting the company or the hiring manager on social media, but there might be some things you can do to clear up any misunderstanding that could have occurred and move on with your head held high knowing you put your best foot forward. 

Why Do Candidates Get Ghosted? 

There are many reasons why candidates get ghosted, some of the most common reasons are: 

  • The company has already hired someone else 
  • Your information got lost 
  • The company went on a hiring freeze 
  • Other candidates are still being interviewed 
  • An unexpected issue occurred 
  • The company doesn’t have a rejection process set up 

What To Do if You’ve Been Ghosted and How to Prevent it From Happening Again

The good news is that you can take steps to prevent being ghosted by a potential employer again. Here’s how. 

1. Don’t forget the ‘thank you’ note. 

Not only is sending a thank you note after an interview good etiquette, but it can also help you remind the interviewer about you and your interview and that you are still interested in the opportunity. This way they will still have you in mind as they interview other candidates. Thank you notes should be sent out no later than 24 hours after the interview. 

2. Try messaging another member of the team. 

If you are not able to get ahold of the recruiter or hiring manager you have been talking to, you can try to reach out to someone else on the team. You may be able to get feedback or insight, and also let the person see your interest in working for the team.  

3. Send a gentle follow-up. 

When you haven’t heard back in timely manner, you can send a gentle reminder expressing your gratitude and reminding the interviewer about your background and interest in the company. You could also ask if they need more information and when you might hear back from them. Make sure your voice sounds positive – not frustrated or upset. 

4. Do something that makes you happy. 

If you are feeling low, do something that makes you happy like working out, going on a walk or spending time with your loved ones. Find a healthy release to express yourself to stay calm and focus on the future.  

5. Focus on moving on. 

If you’ve truly been ignored, it’s time to focus on your next interview. Practice interview questions and prepare yourself for your upcoming interviews. There is no point in dwelling on what has happened – it’s a chance to look at other opportunities! Your next role may even be a better fit for you, so focus on acing the next interview that comes your way.